Sydney Airport to Downtown and Cruise port

Yes it is safe to walk around Chinatown.

No real difference to Chinatown in San Francisco just a slight bigger area IME

The only place i feel uncomfortable after dark in a couple is Kings Cross and some back streets in Redfern (not an area any OS tourist is likely to go)

I wouldn't walk through some of the parks alone.

I would avoid any hotel and I guess this includes the Metro, that is located between Town Hall station and Central station. This is the rougher southern part of the CBD. The accom is cheaper and it has great little cheap eats, particularly in the Chinatown area, but it can also be the hangout area for the bums and junkies and gets the drunks on Fri/Sat nights./QUOTE]

 

The Wentworth is east of George St and that area is generally fine. Its the strip right near central station and generally down George St that is an issue.

There are just as many bums and bag people down at the Quay and in the city centre now.

 

Thank you for your answer. I probably should have posted a question about location before I booked a hotel, however, it seems I will be okay..

 

Lorraine:)

We are docking Feb 22 2014 from our Oceania cruise,and departing Feb 23. WE ahve been to Sydney 2 yrs ago for 5 days and loved every minute of it.Did a lot of sightseeing .We are docking into the new White Bay terminal,and the day we dock is the Gay Pride Parade at the Botanical Gardens. I assume the area of the ferry terminal the rocks and Oprea House will be mostly off limits. Any place else we might try for a few hours in Sydney?

P.S We stayed at the Park Hyatt for 4 days it was fantastic and near everything.

Not sure why you would think those areas are off limits??

The G&L festival happens over a month. The garden party is usually a ticketed event inside the Botanic Gardens, just like any other ticketed event held there. During the festival things go on as normal with the exception of Parade Night which closes the streets at the other end of town and it brings in a lot of $$$$ from all sorts of tourists and visitors.

No need to avoid the best part of the city

Is there an airport shuttle service that can get me from the airport to downtown hotels in Sydney? Don't want to take the train as we will have a lot of luggage. But a taxi seems kind of expensive. Most US cities have moderately priced airport shuttles.

This one might fit the bill -> http://www.airportconnect.com.au/default.asp

Is there an airport shuttle service that can get me from the airport to downtown hotels in Sydney? Don't want to take the train as we will have a lot of luggage. But a taxi seems kind of expensive. Most US cities have moderately priced airport shuttles.

 

This one might fit the bill -> http://www.airportconnect.com.au/default.asp

I was just reading Tripadvisor last night and came up with this about airport shuttles in Sydney: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g255060-i122-k6825252-Airbus_Shuttle_Sydney_Airport-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html

Hi Larraine

You are in the very southern part of the CBD, maybe 2kms from the harbour.. Its a relatively safe area as its away from the worst pubs and nightspots but also there are not a lot of restaurants on Wentworth. It used to be a pretty rundown spot but there are now a lot of new office buildings around there. You are only a short walk to Central Station. It would not be my first choice as you'll have a bit of a walk to get to other parts of the city but as I say its not the worst.

Hi Terrier1

Of the places you mention my first choice would be the Meriton. Its in a fairly dull spot but within fairly easy walk to Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the city shopping area.

You'll see a lot of places listed as Potts Point. This is because they don't like to say they're in Kings Cross. Potts Pt/Kings Cross has some of the best restaurants in Sydney but it is also the red light district so has strip clubs, hookers and Sydney's only legal heroin injecting room. Great place if you fancy a beer at 3am but I would not recommend wandering around that area at night. The hotels in Potts Point that you mention are nice hotels and out of the main area but I'd suggest cabs to get you to/from the hotel at night.

We have accomodations at the Meriton Apts on Pitt for both our Pre cruise stay March 17 and again for Post Cruise. We will be leaving again for the Transpacific on April 10th. We are a family of 4 and found cost wise we were better off in their 2 Bedroom Sky view then two separate rooms near the Port.

For visitors to Sydney CBD there is a free shuttle which operates along George Street in a loop from Circular Quay. You can get to most places including Chinatown using this service. There is a bus stop outside the Quay.

Leave the ship, walk towards the Circular Quay railway station, walk under the overpass and into Alfred Street..... turn left and you will see bus stops. The 555 free shuttle bus leaves and drops off from there.

Not many visitors are aware of this service.

http://www.sydneybuses.info/free-shuttles/

For visitors to Sydney CBD there is a free shuttle which operates along George Street in a loop from Circular Quay. You can get to most places including Chinatown using this service. There is a bus stop outside the Quay.

 

Leave the ship' date=' walk towards the Circular Quay railway station, walk under the overpass and into Alfred Street..... turn left and you will see bus stops. The 555 free shuttle bus leaves and drops off from there.

 

Not many visitors are aware of this service.

 

 

http://www.sydneybuses.info/free-shuttles/[/quote']

 

Thanks for posting this information. I have been looking for a map or something of the exact route of this bus and so far have not found it yet. Does it just go up and down George Street?

Yes, up/down George St

The loop is no longer (it used to run up Elizabeth St as well) 2 direction

A group of cruisers are staying at the Meriton Serviced Apartments on Campbell St. prior to our cruise departing Sydney and would like to know how far away are we from Darling Harbour?

Can we walk this distance?

Easy walk..

5 minutes max to to "top" end near the entertainment centre. 15 minutes to the "heart"

Thoughts please on AEA Bridgeport Apartments 38 bridge street. Close to transportation to

Various areas to visit. How far from airport? Any other info regarding this place much appreciated.

How about transport suggestion from Airport to Marriott Circular Quay? We are not able to sleep on flights so wont gave slept for 24-hours+ and have some mobility limitations. What would a cab cost versus a private towncar? Other non-public trans?

When traveling for work when it's more than just me we use Larry Swindells Limousines and the cost is about $80 AUD each way. A taxi is much cheaper. Silver Service Taxis are corporate grade.

For our upcoming trip to Syndey in March for our 13 day NZ, my DH & myself, daughter and husbands sister are staying 2 nights pre cruise at the Meriton Apts on Pitt Street in a 2 Bdrm Sky View for $1130 for the 4 of us. We will stay post cruise 9 days before our Transpacific.

How about transport suggestion from Airport to Marriott Circular Quay? We are not able to sleep on flights so wont gave slept for 24-hours+ and have some mobility limitations. What would a cab cost versus a private towncar? Other non-public trans?

We have done the airport/Sydney City transfer a few times, and my preference is always to use a Limo...(although at times when I have been travelling alone I have used the shuttle). On business I often use cabs.

Next cruise is in Feb 2014 ex the OPT in Sydney. We live in Brisbane so already I have been checking rates. Quote for a cab is A$31.25 from Domestic Terminal to Circular Quay (which is where the Marriott is). Price ex the International terminal would be a few bucks more. Have a look at : http://www.taxifare.com.au/. Obviously the cost will vary depending on the day and time of day... but you get to put these into the enquiry screen so the quoted fare should end up being pretty realistic.

Also got a quote from http://www.towncars.com for a Limo. From Domestic to The Rocks (Circular Quay area) they will charge A$49 (including GST and Tolls). I have used this mob before...their rates are excellent and they are reliable. Certainly I would recommend them.

The Shuttles are cheap (and nasty) and stop at just about every hotel on the way. Would be very annoying, especially if you are still getting over a long flight. For the similar reasons I would not recommend the train. Super convenient, but unless you like "commuting" its not really the best way to start your holiday.

You spend a lot of money travelling to this part of the world...don't let yourselves down by penny pinching on local transport. ;)

cheers

Thanks Flipper. This was just in time and very appreciated. Happy holidays to you!

We have done the airport/Sydney City transfer a few times, and my preference is always to use a Limo...(although at times when I have been travelling alone I have used the shuttle). On business I often use cabs.

 

Next cruise is in Feb 2014 ex the OPT in Sydney. We live in Brisbane so already I have been checking rates. Quote for a cab is A$31.25 from Domestic Terminal to Circular Quay (which is where the Marriott is). Price ex the International terminal would be a few bucks more. Have a look at : http://www.taxifare.com.au/. Obviously the cost will vary depending on the day and time of day... but you get to put these into the enquiry screen so the quoted fare should end up being pretty realistic.

 

Also got a quote from www.towncars.com for a Limo. From Domestic to The Rocks (Circular Quay area) they will charge A$49 (including GST and Tolls). I have used this mob before...their rates are excellent and they are reliable. Certainly I would recommend them.

 

The Shuttles are cheap (and nasty) and stop at just about every hotel on the way. Would be very annoying, especially if you are still getting over a long flight. For the similar reasons I would not recommend the train. Super convenient, but unless you like "commuting" its not really the best way to start your holiday.

 

You spend a lot of money traveling to this part of the world...don't let yourselves down by penny pinching on local transport. ;)

 

cheers

Thank you Flipper. I have booked with Town cars for our arrival on March 17. I got an e-mail back within 5 minutes.. The last time we took a shuttle but (one of illegals I believe) and it took forever to get to our hotel

Muriel

Tge Meriton apartments are in the city so easy access to everything. My favourite is the Campbell St block.

 

Potts Point is an inner suburb and Challis St is a lovely area. Only hitch is you need to use kings Cross Station and this is not recommended on a weekend night. (and yes if any one wants to says it's not so bad. I was there 3 weeks ago and there were 3 x sniffer dogs at the station in different spots, drunks already abhsing and kicking at taxis at 6pm)

 

The Cambridge is in a good eating area, but I'm not familiar with the hotel itself, never having stayed there

 

1888 is brand new. I'm not a fan of Darling harbour but some like it.

We just booked the 1888 for next January. It's gotten excellent reviews and it looks like a great little funky hotel.

Why would some people not like Darling Harbour, though? It seems to be in a good location, right near the ferries which we plan on using a lot.

Would it be considered too touristy? If so that's fine with us.

Is it a safe area?

Any information would be great. :)

Darling harbour is a bit remote. The ferry comes in every 30 mins or hour depending on the time and day of the week. You then need to change ferries at circular quay or walk up to town Hall ( no ferry ride) to catch a train for commuting.

The area is safe to the point of being sanitized

Food in the area other than Chinatown is quite inflated. Stick on the 1888 side and head west and it isn't so $$$$$$ avoid the places like nicks etc at cockle bay

If staying at 1888 and looking for a good meal try sugaroom. Nice view without the $$. But still not cheap

We just booked the 1888 for next January. It's gotten excellent reviews and it looks like a great little funky hotel.

Why would some people not like Darling Harbour, though? It seems to be in a good location, right near the ferries which we plan on using a lot.

Would it be considered too touristy? If so that's fine with us.

Is it a safe area?

Any information would be great. :)

Had a look at 1888 and its a great little funky hotel as you say. Its actually in Pyrmont, not Darling Harbour as such. A short walk from the main attractions such as the Maritime Museum and Pyrmont Bridge that links you directly into the down town area, or you could walk accross the overbridge from one of the major hotel chains just up the street over to the Harbourside Shopping Centre ( Bit tacky). Some cheap cafes and convenience stores close by in Harris St. The Ian Thorpe indoor swimming pool is also not too far away as is the Power House Museum, both in Harris St.

You would need to walk 10-15 mins to

Pyrmont Wharf beyond the Maritime Museum for a ferry but am not sure if it goes to Circular Quay.

Other attractions not too far away is the Fish Markets and the Star Casino if you are into those sort of things (very big on the Asian tourist scene).

Area is safe.

Hugh

Thanks so much MrsWaldo and Cassamanda for so much good info.

I was under the impression that the ferrys stop not far from our side of the harbour and also directly across the harbour.

I say this because I looked up schedules on various ferry websites and their schedules and route maps looked to be just a short walk away.

I think I'll try to clear this up directly with them.

We are planning on using them for the Zoo and Manly Beach among other sites that can be reached by water.

We're holding the reservation at the 1888 unless something else comes along within our price range, since we still have almost a year to go.

Also thanks for the heads up on the food options. We'll only be there 3 days and usually we like to have 1 really good dining experience pre cruise and just wing it the rest of the time.

Would love to hear more about Sydney if any one else would like to contribute.

Thanks again guys, these boards are such a wealth of information!:)